A TV show based on Terry Moore’s Rachel Rising was in development a few years ago but it never materialized. That’s a bummer because Rachel Rising is a creepy, unpredictable, funny, and sometimes touching 42-issue horror comic book series that deserves at least one riveting season of a TV series.
Rachel Rising was a monthly series that ran from 2011 to 2016. Written and drawn by Terry Moore, published by Abstract Studios, this horror series was unlike anything readers have seen before. Unfortunately, due to low sales and Moore burning out on the series’ dark world, it had to end.
Dead Girl and Her Weird Friends
The series begins with titular character Rachel Beck emerging from her shallow grave after being murdered. This isn’t your typical zombie girl story, though. The story starts out as a murder mystery but continuously adds layers, borrowing elements from history, mythology, and other forms of fiction, ending up as something more biblical but still not overwhelming in scope.
As Rachel tries to solve her own murder and deal with every other crazy thing happening around her, she interacts with a compelling yet bizarre cast of characters including her best friend Jet, 10-year old homicidal maniac Zoe, Lilith the OG Woman, and Dr. Siemen who may or may not be a necrophiliac.
Terry Moore shows why he is a master of storytelling as he weaves different plot points seamlessly using supernatural characters that are actually more human than they seem.
If this were a TV show, viewers will definitely fall in love with the characters, whether they’re protagonists or antagonists. Zoe Mann will probably be everyone’s favorite because she’s a fun, broken old sociopath in a 10-year old’s body.
Slow Burn
Speaking of Moore’s mastery of sequential art, it’s hard to find another horror series that rely more on creepiness than gore and monstrous imagery. The horror here focuses more on how to make the reader feel uncomfortable rather than shocking and grossing them out.
Moore builds tension through decompressed storytelling, gorgeous detailed art, and nuanced facial expressions on characters.
While some issues are a slow burn, dragging in some parts even, the pace is expertly controlled, often releasing the built up tension in very satisfying ways.
The slow burn pacing with a satisfying pay-off at every turn is perfect for the modern age of shows on TV and streaming services.
How to Draw Women and Murderous 10-Year Olds
Terry Moore’s black and white art is gorgeous. This is known. He draws beautiful women of all shapes and sizes and Rachel Rising might be his best work yet.
Not only does he draw expressive characters, his art sets the unsettling mood of the series too. From attractive women to cute, murderous 10-year olds, from serene scenes of a snow-covered Manson, Massachusetts to disturbing shots of death and dismemberment, Terry Moore proves that he has every right to teach everyone else how to draw things.
Moore has already set up the visual tone of the series, so Hollywood just needs to follow his lead and translate his beautiful art into beautiful live action shots.
Rachel Rising Again?
While the initial attempt at turning Rachel Rising into a TV show fizzled out, Terry Moore has stated that he wants to revisit Manson by either relaunching a new Rachel Rising monthly series or continuing the story in other mediums.
Let’s hope that Rachel will indeed rise again because her crazy, dark, and quirky world needs to be seen by a whole lot more people. Preferably through a dope 10-episode series on Netflix.
Rachel Rising Volumes 1-7 are available now wherever fine comic books are sold.
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